The Circulate Initiative

The role and contributions of informal waste sector workers often go unrecognized, despite accounting for roughly 60% of plastic collected globally. In view of this, we created VOICES, a video series to deepen understanding of the contributions and experiences of informal waste sector workers, particularly in emerging markets. In the third video of this series, we are pleased to introduce Cipto from Jakarta, Indonesia who shares his journey, obstacles, and ambitions. This video premiered as part of a compilation of videos on waste worker voices at the recently held UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, Asia-Pacific. Through our Responsible Sourcing Initiative, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to build inclusive and resilient plastics recycling supply chains. Watch full video: https://lnkd.in/gJ6pycJg Learn more about the Responsible Sourcing Initiative: https://lnkd.in/gd8dw_dV #responsiblesourcing #wasteworkers #circulareconomy #plasticwaste #plasticpollution #plasticimpact #oceanplastic #sustainability #sustainableimpact #socialimpact #research #circularsolutions #wastemanagement #recycling #informalworkers

Join our upcoming webinar, co-hosted in collaboration with AIM-Progress and The Consumer Goods Forum. In an evolving landscape of industry regulations, social and environmental impact reporting, and due diligence and disclosure requirements, companies are closely evaluating and addressing human rights issues in their supply chains. This webinar will feature senior industry experts who will share best practices and real-world examples for businesses and investors looking to advance their responsible sourcing practices. The session will showcase the Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework for Recycled Plastics, developed in collaboration with the informal sector, as a comprehensive resource to support implementation of responsible sourcing practices that address human rights issues in the plastics recycling value chain. View the agenda: https://lnkd.in/gbf57MpQ Register here: https://lnkd.in/gNZhmqYw Learn more about the Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework for Recycled Plastics: https://lnkd.in/g2Mpt95d #responsiblesourcing #circulareconomy #plasticwaste #plasticpollution #plasticimpact #oceanplastic #sustainability

Millions of informal waste sector workers worldwide continue to face challenges around wages, working conditions, and basic rights—especially in areas where formal recycling infrastructure is limited. Raffi Schieir’s recent piece in Reuters sheds light on these issues and mentions our Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework for Recycled Plastics as a starting point for businesses looking to implement responsible sourcing practices in their supply chains. Read full article here: https://lnkd.in/gnHCJjbr Learn more about the Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework for Recycled Plastics: https://lnkd.in/g2Mpt95d #responsiblesourcing #circulareconomy #plasticwaste #plasticpollution #plasticimpact #oceanplastic #sustainability

Today, we continue the celebration of #WorldCitiesDay by sharing how Bangkok, Santa Fe, and Salvador are showing the world what’s possible when cities embrace a cleaner, circular approach. These transformations are just the beginning. Together with #UrbanOcean, they are shaping a future where our oceans and cities thrive. Explore more insights: https://lnkd.in/g6rmm8GS Ocean Conservancy | Resilient Cities Network | Bangkok Metropolitan Administration | Municipalidad de Santa Fe | Prefeitura de Salvador

Our Research Analyst, Juline Lew, will be speaking at the inaugural Plastics Recycling Show Asia at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center in Singapore. Juline’s session, “Finance and Investment in the Asian Plastics Recycling Market,” will provide insights into plastics circularity investments that have been made in Asia since 2018. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ejkMkvCQ #plasticsrecycling #circulareconomy #PRSAsia2024

Our Director of Programs, Annerieke Douma, recently authored an article for Mongabay outlining the contributions of Asia’s informal waste sector workers to combat plastic pollution. With Southeast Asia generating over half of the world’s ocean plastic, informal waste sector workers fulfill a significant need by manually collecting and recycling materials that might otherwise enter the environment. Case examples from Indonesia and India featured in the article also show how targeted collaborations can integrate these informal waste sector workers into more secure and efficient waste management systems, improving their working conditions. Read full article: https://lnkd.in/gJrJUvzY #responsiblesourcing #circulareconomy #plasticwaste #plasticpollution #plasticimpact

Recycled plastics markets in India and Southeast Asia face various demand-and-supply linked bottlenecks, such as a lack of pricing transparency along the value chain. In this upcoming webinar with be Waste Wise, we will discuss the need for transparency in the pricing of recycled plastics and the benefits, challenges, and steps that can be taken to improve pricing transparency. Register here: https://lnkd.in/grnJGkFx Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/gzBEeWNg Speakers:  ◾ Umesh Madhavan (The Circulate Initiative) ◾ Thien An (Grac Tech., JSC) ◾ Lubna Anantakrishnan (SWaCH) ◾ Mani Vajipeyajula (Banyan Nation) #recycledplastics #pricingtransparency #wastemanagement #circulareconomy #sustainability #recycling

Final call for applications! We are seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Associate who is passionate about responsible sourcing and sustainability. This role will focus on training and capacity building, as well as supporting the execution of the MEL plan and implementing traceability tools for the Responsible Sourcing Initiative. This is a remote-working position open to candidates based in India, Indonesia, Singapore, or Sri Lanka who are authorized to work in these locations. Application deadline: Friday, October 25 2024 For the full job description and application details visit: https://lnkd.in/gpQs9NPF #impactjobs #plasticpollution #socialimpact #sustainability #vacancy #programmanagement #responsiblesourcinginitiative

In preparation for the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including the marine environment (ILBI), the third in a series of webinars will discuss the critical topics of aligning and catalyzing financial flows to meet needs-based financing. Participants will come away with insights on:  ◾ Redirecting risk, reward, and impact to support ending plastic pollution and advancing a circular plastics economy. ◾ Leveraging public and private financing to create synergies and amplify the catalytic effect for greater impact. ◾ The unique financial needs of different countries, considering varying capacities and roles in the plastics economy, to ensure a just transition under the ILBI. ◾ How technology transfer, technical assistance, capacity building and other non-financial resources can be used in ways that play a complementary role to financial resources. Speaker line-up: ◾ Kate Lynch (The Government of Australia) ◾ Christian Kaufholz (World Economic Forum) ◾ Peggy Lefort (United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)) ◾ James Baker (Asian Development Bank (ADB)) ◾ sonia battikh (Citi) ◾ Erin Simon (World Wildlife Fund) ◾ Dana Mosora (ASASE Foundation)  ◾ Moderator: Safiya Sawney (The Government of Grenada) ◾ Session host: Michael Sadowski (The Circulate Initiative) To view the agenda, visit: https://lnkd.in/g4uzhpzq Register here:  https://lnkd.in/g8-MkKHq Co-hosts: The Circulate Initiative, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), The World Bank, and the World Economic Forum. #plasticpollution #financing #investment #inc #environmentalfinance #plasticwaste #sustainablefinance #circulareconomy #policy

Earlier this month, we officially launched the Responsible Sourcing Initiative implementation project in Indonesia, supported by The Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Mahija Parahita Nusantara, and PT Amandina Bumi Nusantara.   The event, held in Jakarta on October 3-4, brought together local recyclers, aggregators, waste worker associations, government officials, and global companies to engage in discussions on building inclusive and responsible supply chains. We are excited about the collaboration ahead and look forward to working together to drive meaningful impact through these partnerships. Read the announcement: https://lnkd.in/gSuRmG8q Learn more about the Responsible Sourcing Initiative: https://lnkd.in/gd8dw_dV #responsiblesupplychains #responsiblesourcing #circulareconomy #plasticwaste #plasticpollution #plasticimpact #oceanplastic #sustainability #sustainableimpact #socialimpact #research #circularsolutions #wastemanagement #recycling #recycledplastic